Internationalisation of the curriculum: guides and case studies

Introduction to internationalisation of the curriculum

Preparing students to play an effective part in the global community is a
priority for UCL.

In line with our ambition to be London’s Global
University, and in order to prepare our students for the challenges of the international marketplace, UCL aims to offer
an internationalised taught curriculum in all disciplines.

What is an internationalised curriculum?

An internationalised curriculum should:

Give students a broad, global perspective on their studies

Incorporate opportunities for students to consider aspects
of the discipline from alternative cultural or geographical perspectives

Encourage students to develop the ability to communicate in
their discipline with individuals from a range of backgrounds and cultures

Enable students to develop skills which are relevant to a
global employment market

Challenges students to explore the values and ethical
challenges which underpin their discipline.

Internationalisation includes the course content (e.g.
syllabus, teaching methods, assessment, reading lists and research),
different world-views on the subject, its global impact and ethical
issues.

“Our approach to
internationalisation of all curricula ensures that UCL students experience the
best education drawn from practice across the globe," he said.

“Internationalisation of the
curriculum is one of the underlying principles of our Education for
Global Citizenship agenda. The
world is globalising ever more rapidly and we must support our students and
graduates for this mobile, fluid, complex, and often challenging landscape.”

How is it implemented?

Each academic discipline will
approach this differently, but it could involve drawing on students'
cultural beliefs and values, or using problem-based learning with culturally
diverse groups to develop key skills.

Case Studies - Internationalisation of the curriculum

Dr Doug Bourn (UCL Institute of Education) discusses how global
citizenship themes can assist staff to reflect the diverse needs of their
students and to promote a good sense of global social responsibility.